*great trips for singles

Okay, so a lot of us go to bed alone every night (well, most nights). Why, then, is it so hard to travel solo? Trust me, "Do you come here often?" isn't my idea of a relaxing vacation. Nor is dragging that titillating book (so engrossing) to dinner six nights in a row. Herewith are some viable solutions for getting out there by yourself.

Hawaii

The Trip: A seven-night "Tropical Winter Week" with Sierra Club Outings on the Big Island.What You'll Do: Hike through lava fields and rainforest, plus swim, snorkel, and sea kayak on the Kona Coast. Most nights you'll sleep in a screened A-frame shelter in Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area.The Single Bonus: By definition, people who go on a Sierra Club trip are attuned to the outdoors. And on any given trip, half of them come alone.Cost: $990 per person, including all meals.Dates: December 27-January 3Contact: 415-977-5522

Chile and Argentina

The Trip: An 11-day inn-to-inn hiking trip through Chile's Lake District with Backroads.What You'll Do: Hike around 11,453-foot Mount Tronador through rainforest and along ridges flanked by snowcapped peaks, staying in inns.The Single Bonus: For mingling purposes, a walking trip is like a mobile cocktail party. And about 20 to 30 percent of the travelers come solo.Cost: $3,095-$3,398 per person all-inclusive.Dates: December 2-12, January 13-23, January 29-February 8, and February 10-20Contact: 800-462-2848

Vermont

The Trip: Cross-country skiing at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center in northern Vermont.What You'll Do: Try out the 60 miles of cross-country and skate-skiing trails, or ice skate on the pond. Accommodations range from hotel rooms to lakeside cabins.The Single Bonus: Meals are served buffet-style at large group tables; most nights there are bonfires and ice skating.Cost: $66-$104 per person per day buys lodging, meals, and a one-day trail pass.Contact: 800-729-7751 — E. P.

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